REAL ESTATE NEWS

UTAZ™ Senior Vice President of Community Development & Business Affairs, Terri Tobey was interviewed by KFNN Radio. During the 10-minute on-air segment, she discussed UTAZ™ Development’s continued success, crediting founder Craig Willett’s vision and his unique “own for less than rent^sm” business model which helps business professionals build equity for retirement through ownership in a UTAZ Professional Village™.

UTAZ™ President and CEO Craig Willett, COO Arch Ratliff, and Senior VP Terri Tobey are fall featured in AZRE magazine’s annual “People to Know in Real Estate,” which includes, among others, the Valley’s leading developers, architects, brokers and city planners.

A graduate of Brigham Young University with a master’s degree in accounting, Craig originated the concept of “The Professional Village” and founded UTAZ™ Development Corp. in 1994.

A native of Washington, D.C., Arch was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps; he also graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS in business administration.

The former associate group publisher of American Lawyer Media, Terri now oversees new business development and community relations.

Replacing her as VP of Sales and Marketing is Steve Seeger, who joined UTAZ™ after 14 years in residential real estate sales, most recently with D.R. Horton.

Following a profile in Go Gilbert magazine, Terri Tobey was featured in a Phoenix Business Journal Executive Profile and later interviewed by KFNN Radio. During the 10-minute on-air segment, she discussed UTAZ™ Development’s continued success, crediting founder Craig Willett’s vision and his unique “own for less than rent” business model which helps business professionals build equity for retirement through ownership in a UTAZ Professional Village™.

WRITTEN BY BROOKE ROMNEY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL SEBRING

Featured in the July 2008 Issue of Go Gilbert

In order to be a successful career woman in a male
dominated world, you have to be passionate and fearless—
which is exactly what Terri Tobey, the senior vice
president of business development and community
relations for UTAZ, is.

“I sold books door to door in college, and I had
to push through my fears,” says Tobey. “At my first door I
knocked, then ran and hid in the bushes.”

A person like Tobey doesn’t hide easily—this charismatic
woman was born to change the business world.
“Being a career woman was not my plan. I thought I
would stay at home and raise my three kids,” says Tobey.
However, the universe had its own plan for her. As a
suddenly single mom of three, the passion she usually
put in to raising her children quickly became a fire to
provide for them.

She took her first chance on the business world with
a job at NightRider in San Francisco. “It was the hardest
and the best decision I’ve ever made for us,” she says.
Since then, her charmed career has taken off in every
direction and she has found a way to be tough and feminine
while climbing the corporate ladder.

“I’ve never apologized for being a woman in business
or tried to be a man. God made me feminine for a reason,
so I’ve learned how to be fearless and strong without
giving away my femininity,” she says.

This subtle, self knowledge has allowed her to take
chances and tackle unknown arenas, which happened
again when she took a job with a small company called
InVision, in the tiny suburb of Gilbert, Arizona.

“When I came to Gilbert, it was realistically a crazy
move for me, but the owner of the company told me,
‘You have a fire in your belly and you don’t know where
to put it; I’ll give you somewhere to put it.’”
She planted that fire in Gilbert and she and her kids
feel this is home.

“I love Gilbert. It’s our safe place and a great place
to grow up because it’s a little town in a big town and
has a small town attitude. People come here to plant
roots and raise families and I love being a part of that,”
she says.

Because of her love for the city and her fearless attitude,
Tobey recently ran for the Arizona State Legislature.
It was nothing she’d ever dreamed of doing, but
felt her voice should be heard and was passionate about
taking part in the political process.

“I was never afraid of losing, and I’m so grateful for
what I learned from that experience,” she says.
During her campaign, one of her supporters was Craig
Willett, the President and CEO of UTAZ Development
Corporation.

He said he was praying she would lose so he could
take her analytical mind and perfect poise and make her
the face of UTAZ.

“I was never going to work for anyone again, but Craig
helped me see I was a perfect match for UTAZ. I’d always
dreamed of helping small businesses succeed, but didn’t
know how to do that and provide for my family. In UTAZ
I saw the potential to do both.”

UTAZ offers small businesses a way to own what they
work their lives for, and Tobey saw that as inspirational.
Today she works with high profile clients and economic
development committees to make Gilbert as business
and development friendly as possible, especially for
small businesses.

But this girl isn’t all corporate. Her tanned, toned
body makes it very obvious she doesn’t just sit behind
a desk all day.

“I love to do everything: golf, tennis, snowboarding,
horses, motorcycles, music, working out,” she says, and
has the bruises and sprains to prove it.

While business and hobbies are important to her, her
piercing blue eyes start to sparkle when she talks about
her greatest achievement, her three kids.

“My kids are what I am most proud of in my life,”
Tobey says. Jessica, Lucas, and Mackenzie Smith are all
smart, successful and loving people, already fearlessly
planning on success.

Mass High Tech reports that with a permit from the City of Chandler, a $100 million facility that will test drugs under development and have 2,000 workers is beginning at the Chandler Airpark. Plans call for building the first phase of a 300,000-square-foot facility.

For Sales Information Contact:
Terri Tobey at 480-776-3500
or 480-544-5865 mobile

For Dr. Mahshid Asrari of Asrari Endodontics, LLC, an owner of a UTAZ professional office in the San Tan Professional Village in Gilbert, the comfort of her patients is vitally important.

“My office is designed like an upscale spa,” Dr. Asrari said. “It doesn’t look like a dentist office. When patients come in we give them MP3 players and neck pillows so they can listen to music and relax. Almost every person who walks in comments on our décor and have a different experience than what they expected. The tension they had before coming to my office just slips away.”

As a root canal specialist, she is well aware of the apprehension patients have when facing such a procedure and it is paramount for her that her office provides a sense of comfort and professionalism that helps ease the fear in her clients and soothes the spirit as well. In addition to maximizing the design potential and qualities a UTAZ office provides, Dr. Asrari carefully explains the procedure to her patients and answers every question to further their understanding and ease their concern.

“I designed the office to put my patients at ease,” she said. “But an upscale office is pointless unless the patients receive the highest quality care. I strive to perform a flawless procedure on each and every tooth. Whether performing a root canal, apicoectomy, apexification or other endodontic procedure, I take great satisfaction in achieving the treatment goal on each patient every day.”

Like many satisfied owners of a UTAZ office, UTAZ’s impeccable reputation drew her to visit other UTAZ Professional Villages. Seeing the great locations, monument signage, accessibility, the 13-foot high ceilings and quality construction, she saw the potential and made up her mind.

“When I looked at the offices built by UTAZ, I was impressed with the construction,” she said. “All the comments I heard were positive. I looked at other dental offices. UTAZ had the best reputation.”

Since opening her first office in the San Tan Professional Village, located on the southeast corner of Lindsay and Pecos roads, she has seen her business steadily expand and flourish. “”It is a growing area here” she said. “We still have fields across the street. It can only get better when they are developed.”

Married with two children and living in the East Valley, Dr. Asrari came to the United States to attend Utah State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree. She then attended Marquette University School of Dentistry, where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Specialty Certificate in Endodontics and Master of Science degree. A quality office, quality care and service, are the maxims by which Dr. Asrari runs her business.
“When I finish a root canal and the patient tells me she had a truly positive, comfortable experience, I know she will tell her family and friends, and maybe, she will even thank her dentist for referring her to me,” Dr. Asrari said. When asked if she would consider buying another UTAZ office when her business expands to the point where she can do so, Dr. Asrari was emphatic. “Yes, definitely,” she said.

For Sales Information Contact:
Terri Tobey at 480-776-3500
or 480-544-5865 mobile

Gilbert, AZ. — UTAZ Development, Arizona’s premier builder of quality office condominiums for medical practitioners and small business professionals, has announced plans to build its new Mountainwood Professional Village in Gilbert, Arizona

Encompassing 50,000 square feet of high-end office space in nine-distinctive architecturally designed buildings, this new UTAZ Professional Village will be strategically flanked by Gilbert Emergency Hospital and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, making it a prime location for medical practitioners seeking to maximize Gilbert’s exploding population growth, and upscale nearby communities such as Seville (4,500 homes), Greenfield Acres (155 custom homes), and Adora Trails (1,871 homes).

UTAZ Professional Village office condominiums are known for great locations; impeccable workmanship and design; 13.5 foot ceilings; abundant front-door parking; highly visible frontage; and prestigious and prominent monument and building signage designed to attract affluent clients and create a lasting impression of superior quality and first-class service.

“Our Professional Village locations allow medical practitioners easy access to neighborhoods and nearby hospitals while creating environments where business thrives,” said Craig Willett, president and CEO of UTAZ Development. “Buyers get the added bonus of owning for less than renting and benefit as property values increase. Mountainwood Professional Village is a medical practitioner’s oasis in the desert.”

Dr. Stuart Agren, who owns a UTAZ professional office condominium in the East Valley, said his business escalated significantly since he moved in and believes the location of his office is the major factor.

“My patients love the location,” he said. “It’s easy to draw people to my practice.”

Mountainwood Professional Village suites range from 2,000 to 8,000 square feet and are now on sale. Call 480-776-3500 or visit www.UTAZ.com for more information.

For Sales Information Contact:
Terri Tobey at 480-776-3500
or 480-544-5865 mobile

For commercial and residential management companies, working with developers that are professional, cooperative, accessible and responsible, makes their job easier and allows them to provide the best service possible for their clients. Jennice Doty is a managing partner for TCT Property Services L.L.C. in Mesa, a commercial and residential management company with 27-years experience in the business.

Her business partner, Steve Chader, has been in the real estate business for 30 years. According to Ms. Doty, management companies assume the responsibility of maintaining common areas, dumpsters, landscaping, parking lot maintenance, insurance, etc., and collecting dues from homeowner and office condominium associations to pay for the upkeep and services of the properties themselves.

Over the years, TCT Property Services has established a solid working relationship with UTAZ Development, managing numerous Professional Villages for the developer throughout the East Valley and assuring the legacy of UTAZ’s exceptional quality is maintained through the years. “It’s been a great experience working with UTAZ over the last seven years,” Ms. Doty said. “We know everything they do is totally professional. They have a lot of integrity and they build a good product. They put in concrete floors where others just leave dirt; they follow all regulations; and the construction of their shells is superior.

Ms. Doty said there are numerous potential pitfalls for buyers to be aware of after purchasing an office. “A lot of people who buy offices don’t know what to expect,” she said. “They need to have a company that can answer questions about associations, dues and what is included. They need to know there are Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) that must be followed.” She said owners need to understand there are contract fees and what to expect. “There are things contractors need to know during construction,” she said. “Contracts have to be read carefully. Buyers have to make sure construction workers are working with general contractors in compliance with their purchase contract and tenant improvement rules.”

She said it is important to have a developer, like UTAZ, who helps with time lines and gets the proper permits done on time to complete the project. “There are a lot of things buyers need to know and that is why it is important they use a developer who can make sure all rules and regulations are followed.”

Ms. Doty said developers hire professional management companies like her own, to set up the association, work with a developer-run board of directors, collect dues, buy insurance and upkeep the properties until the development is 75 percent owned by buyers, where at that time the association and management of the property is turned over to the buyers. “Management companies help set the budget, collect the fees necessary to maintain the property,” she said. “Lot resurfacing, keeping the grounds clean, these are all responsibilities of a professional management company.”

Ms. Doty said her company manages 28 properties around the Valley. Of these, UTAZ Development Professional Villages have been some of the most successful. “They are very conscientious,” she said of UTAZ Development. “Their services after the sale remain constant and solid.”

For Sales Information Contact:
Terri Tobey at 480-776-3500
or 480-544-5865 mobile

With two promotions and a new hire in May, UTAZ Development Corporation continues its mission to provide the best service possible to its clients and build top-quality professional offices for medical practitioners and professionals in the East Valley.

Former Senior Vice President of Development and Construction, Arch Ratliff, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer; former Vice President of Construction, Glen Adams, was promoted to Senior Vice President of Development and Construction; and Robin Nedza was hired as the company’s new Senior Vice President of Finance.
For Mr. Ratliff, becoming Chief Operating Officer is a natural progression from his former position, which he held for two years.

Born in Washington D.C., married with five children, he moved to Gilbert in 2004 and now is responsible for the company’s development of construction; human resources; and managing the company’s assets.
After getting out of the Marine Corps, he was intrigued by the UTAZ philosophy and ideal of providing quality service and construction for small business owners.

“I liked the idea of being able to enhance people’s lives with our Professional Village concept while providing added value to their businesses,” Mr. Ratliff said. “I am absolutely excited about my new position.” Working with the UTAZ family of dedicated professionals is another added bonus for him. “I just like the whole company,” he said. “The people who work here are incredible. The biggest benefit for me is working with them, our clients, contractors, buyers and owners. They are an incredible group of people.”

Sharing the same sentiment is Glen Adams, an Awhwatukee resident, married with four children, who now oversees entitlements and land acquisition, procurement, all aspects of construction, contract administration and the design process.
“It’s a great company,” he said. “I’ve been familiar with UTAZ since the initial concept as a competing developer in Utah. UTAZ founder and CEO Craig Willett pioneered the Professional Village concept and mission to construct quality buildings, be provocative and innovative, listen to what clients need and help build businesses and not just the environment. I live by the credo ‘do what you say you are going to do.’”

He said as a developer, UTAZ strives to anticipate and exceed expectations. “There is nothing greater than watching a piece of dirt turn into a viable and usable product like a UTAZ Professional Village,” he said. “It is a fabulous feeling that last forever.” With the hiring of Robin Nedza as the company’s Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting, UTAZ adds yet another member to its team of professionals who shares the vision of quality service and construction. “What I like about this industry is we can see something tangible when we build it that we could be proud of,” said Mrs. Nedza, a Chandler resident, married with three children.

“You can look back years later at a project and know you had a hand in its creation.” Mrs. Nedza, former Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Olympia Land Corporation, brings over six years of experience with the Las Vegas developer to the Southeast Valley. In her new position, she will be dealing with the financial aspects of all UTAZ projects, from feasibility studies to acquisition — to close-out and the final sale. Accounting, taxes, budgeting and servicing the treasury for professional office associations until they are turned over to buyers are also under the umbrella of her responsibilities. She said helping prospective owners get financed and helping them through until final completion, is an added perk for her. We point them in the right direction and get them going with their investment,” Mrs. Nedza said.

She said UTAZ is the perfect place for her to work. “It’s a small company and you get to know people quickly and form relationships,” she said. “UTAZ is like a family. It’s like moving into a new home rather than just coming to a place to work everyday. I look forward to working with a team that reflects such a positive spirit to our customers.”

UTAZ founder and CEO Craig Willett praised his promoted staff members and his new hire. “I am proud to have individuals like Arch Ratliff, Glen Adams and Robin Nedza working for me,” he said. “They truly reflect what our company is all about and demonstrate the degree of care, compassion, quality and professionalism of UTAZ and our customers.”

For Sales Information Contact:
Terri Tobey at 480-776-3500
or 480-544-5865 mobile

When Dr. Michael Hudson made his decision to open his own dental practice in 2004, he knew right from the start he wanted a location that would maximize his business and an office he could be proud of and impress patients.

For Hudson Dental & Orthodontics, his business, the decision was clear. He purchased a professional office condominium in the UTAZ Spectrum Professional Village and hasn’t looked back since.

“Having grown up in Gilbert I knew there would be tremendous population growth in our town over the coming years,” Dr. Hudson said. “I wanted a location for my office that would take advantage of that growth. I felt the UTAZ Spectrum Professional Village was a great place to open my office. And I was right. We have homes all around us and most of my patients live nearby. People know we are here and they come. The Spectrum community is a perfect place for my practice.”

Dr. Hudson said there is more to drawing patients to a dental practice than just good service.

“We are a family practice,” Dr. Hudson said. “That is how we treat all our patients. I get to know them. I want to know who they are. There is an old saying that people don’t care how much you know until they know who you are. The first thing they care about is that you care about them. The next thing they look at is the kind of office you have and if it is impressive.”

He believes UTAZ professional office condominiums provide the opportunity to create such office space.

“The design, the quality and the interior of my office work together to impress people and create a professional image,” he said. “When people walk in they see they are in a nice place and this inspires confidence before they even come into the inner office. The location and the quality of our office combine to help increase our patient base and increase revenue.”

He said he finds the advantages of owning an office far outweigh leasing.

“The first advantage is obvious—that is instead of throwing money away in rent you are building equity,” he said. “When you own the property you also don’t have to worry about your landlord relocating and having to suddenly move your business. Owning allows you to keep your tenant improvement costs minimal. You can dictate the design of your interiors.

A lifelong Gilbert resident, married with three children, Dr. Hudson has grown deep roots in his community and is planning to stay for the long run.

When his business grows to the point where he could expand to a second office there is no doubt it will be a UTAZ office condominium.

“When I get to the point where I see a future place of growth, I’m certain it will be with UTAZ,” he said.

For Sales Information Contact:
Terri Tobey at 480-776-3500
or 480-544-5865 mobile